Product based on iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, formulations thereof, and pharmaceutical uses thereof

ABSTRACT

The object of the present invention is a product obtainable by spray-drying an aqueous solution comprising iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate, the use of said product for the prevention and/or treatment of anaemia, preferably sideropenic anaemia, in humans, the pharmaceutical formulations containing it, and the use of said formulations for the prevention and/or treatment of anaemia, preferably sideropenic anaemia, in humans.

The object of the present invention is a product obtainable by spray-drying an aqueous solution comprising iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate, the use of said product for the prevention and/or treatment of anaemia, preferably sideropenic anaemia, in humans, the pharmaceutical formulations containing it, and the use of said formulations for the prevention and/or treatment of anaemia, preferably sideropenic anaemia, in humans.

The oral administration of iron salts has long been recognised as the treatment of choice to treat anaemia in humans.

Inorganic salts of divalent iron are generally used, which in most cases exhibit poor bioavailability and side effects in a high percentage of patients.

In the literature it has been reported how the iron bis-glycinate chelate product (Ferrochel®) significantly differs from the other ferrous salts, both as regards to the increased absorption through the gastro-intestinal mucosa and the improved safety profile, as indicated below.

Iron bis-glycinate chelate has the following structural formula (I):

This compound, and the structure thereof, are long well known (Ashmed S.D. The chemistry of ferrous bis-glycinate chelate, Arch. Latino Am. De Nutr., 2001, 51(1), 7-12; Coplin et al. Tolerability of Iron: a comparison of bis-glycino iron II and ferrous sulphate, Clinical Therapeutics, vol. 13, n.5, 606-612, 1991).

Iron bis-glycinate chelate is a rather soluble chelate complex characterised by a metal centre, Fe(II), tetracoordinated by two identical chelants (glycine). The dative bond of the nitrogen atom contributes to stabilising the energy of the metal centre orbitals and the ligand geometry through the formation of a five-atom ring.

This compound is also known for its tolerability, safety and high bioavailability (Jeppsen R. B. Toxicology and safety of Ferrochel and other iron amino acids chelates, Arch. Latino Am. de Nutr., 2001, 51(1), 26-34; Opinion of the scientific Panel on Food additives, Flawouring Processing Aids and materials in contact with Food on a request from the Commision related to: Ferrous bisglycinate as a source of iron for use in the manufacturing of foods and in foods supplements, EFSA Journal, 2006, 299, 1-17).

The literature data show that such a chelate complex has a higher bioavailability with respect to iron mineral salts, such as ferrous sulphate, since it is absorbed as it is at the intestinal mucosa level and thus it does not undergo any chemical modification in the gastrointestinal apparatus (Pineda O. et al., Effectiveness of iron amino acids helate on the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in adolescents, Journal of appl. Nutr., Vol. 46, Numbers 1-2, 1994; Pineda O., Effectiveness of treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in infants and young children with ferrous bis-glycinate chelate, Nutrition, 17(5), 2001, 381-84).

The stability of the bond, proven by the fact that the product does not undergo hydrolysis at different pH values of the gastrointestinal tract, and the low molecular weight (204 g/mol) allow maximum absorption when administered orally (DeWayne H. A., The absorbtion and metabolism of iron amino acid chelate, Arch. Latino Am. de Nutr., 2001, 51(1), 13-21; Marchetti M et al., Comparison of the rates of vitaminic degradation when mixed with metal sulphates or metal amino acids chelates, J. Food Comp. Anal., 2000, 13, 875-884).

Moreover, the oral absorption of iron bis-glycinate chelate does not show any interference with food or other active principles.

However, iron bis-glycinate chelate, like other products containing iron, is found to have a very unpleasant taste, characteristic of the iron complex contained therein and, more generally, of all the products containing iron which, notoriously, are therefore not easy to administrate due to their low palatability.

In addition, side effects such as heartburn have been highlighted for it as well, albeit in much smaller percentage and with less severity than other iron salts. In particular, for iron bis-glycinate chelate these side effects are shown when the same is used in high doses.

The need is therefore felt for a product based on iron bis-glycinate chelate for the prevention and/or treatment of anaemia, preferably sideropenic anaemia, in humans, that it is readily absorbed, safe, with an improved palatability, administrable by oral route, and free of side effects after such administration.

The term “anaemia” according to the present invention comprises sideropenic anaemia, aplastic anaemia, vitamin and/or folate deficiency anaemia (such as, for example, pernicious anaemia), chronic disease anaemia (such, as for example, AIDS, cancer or hepatitis) and haemolytic anaemia; it preferably refers to sideropenic anaemia.

Sideropenic anaemia is a form of anaemia characterised by a significant decrease of haemoglobin in the circulating blood which is caused by iron deficiency.

It has been, therefore, surprisingly found a stable product based on iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate, which addresses the needs indicated above.

Alginic acid is a copolymer composed of a series of polysaccharide polyanions formed by repeated units of β-D-mannuronic and α-L-glucuronic acid linked together by 1→4 bonds.

The product is isolated from various species of algae and has an average molecular weight which can vary from a few thousands Dalton (Da) up to 350,000 Da.

The physical and chemical properties of alginic acid depend on the ratio between glucuronic acid and D-mannuronic acid.

The product is recognised by the FDA as a safe product from a toxicological point of view, i.e. it is defined as GRAS (Generally Referred as Safe), and it is used in therapy as the sodium salt in disorders related to acid secretion, gastroesophageal reflux, heartburns and acid regurgitation.

Alginates are salts of the alginic acid. The alginates of alkali metals, in particular sodium alginate, potassium alginate, and magnesium alginate are soluble in water, while calcium alginate is not water-soluble.

The product based on iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof object of the present invention is characterised by being obtained by a spray-drying process of an aqueous solution comprising iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid and/or the water-soluble salts thereof.

The product thus obtained, completely safe from the toxicological point of view (safety), is characterised by a high surface area which allows its rapid absorption, with protective properties at the level of the gastrointestinal mucosa itself. In addition, this product has an improved palatability compared to iron bis-glycinate chelate alone, which allows its use in buccal and chewable formulations, and in oral solutions, achieving an improved adherence to the medical scheme (compliance) by the patient.

The alginic acid and/or the water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate, and/or magnesium alginate, particularly preferred for the spray-drying with iron bis-glycinate chelate has a low viscosity, with a molecular weight preferably comprised between 10,000 and 15,000 Da (for example, Protanal® LFR), but also alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof with a molecular weight preferably comprised between 40,000 and 50,000 Da (for example, Protanal® LFR 5/60), comprised between 90,000 and 200,000 Da (for example, Protanal® CR 8133) or comprised between 250,000 and 350,000 Da (for example, Protanal® CR 8233) may be used.

Therefore, the molecular weight of the alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate, usable for spray-drying the iron bis-glycinate chelate to obtain the product of the present invention is comprised between 10,000 and 350,000 Da, preferably between 10,000 and 250,000 Da, being the range between 10,000 and 15,000 Da the most preferred. The preferred weight ratio between the iron bis-glycinate chelate and the alginic acid and/or the water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate, in the product obtained by spray-drying are comprised in the range of 1-2:1-3, and they are preferably 1:1, 1:2 or 2:3.

The peculiarity of the spray-drying process of an aqueous solution comprising the iron bis-glycinate chelate and the alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate is the obtainment of a dry powder in which the weight proportion present in the aqueous starting solution are maintained.

Therefore, the preferred weight ratios between the iron bis-glycinate chelate and the alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate, in the aqueous solution used for spray drying are comprised in the range of 1-2:1-3, and preferably they are 1:1, 1:2, or 2:3.

In particular, it is preferred a product obtained by spray-drying an aqueous solution containing iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate with a molecular weight comprised between 10,000 and 15,000 Da, wherein the weight ratio between the iron bis-glycinate chelate and the alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate, is comprised in the range of 1-2:1-3, and preferably it is 1:1, 1:2 or 2:3.

Most preferred is a product obtained by spray-drying an aqueous solution containing iron bis-glycinate chelate and sodium alginate (Protanal® LFR), with a molecular weight comprised between 10,000 and 15,000 Da, wherein the weight ratio between the iron bis-glycinate chelate and the sodium alginate, is comprised in the range of 1-2:1-3, preferably it is 1:1, 1:2 or 2:3, and even more preferably it is 1:1.

According to another preferred aspect, the aqueous solution used for spray-drying is obtained by solution of iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate, which preferably has a molecular weight comprised between 10,000 and 15,000 Da, in a weight ratio with water of 1:10 and 1:12, respectively.

According to a further preferred aspect, the particle size of the product in powder form obtained after spray-drying the aqueous solution comprising the iron bis-glycinate chelate and the alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate, is less than 20 μ.

According to a further preferred aspect, the aqueous solution comprising the iron bis-glycinate chelate and the alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate, may comprise an antioxidant, preferably in an amount lower than 0.5% of the total weight of the iron bis-glycinate chelate and the alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, and even more preferably in an amount lower than 0.3%, where said percentages are referred to the total weight of the iron bis-glycinate chelate and the alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof. Preferably said antioxidant is ascorbic acid.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the residual moisture value in the product in dry powder form obtained after spray-drying the aqueous solution comprising the iron bis-glycinate chelate and the alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate, is comprised between 2.60% and 2.90%.

In addition, according to a further aspect of the invention, the density of the product in dry powder form obtained after spray-drying the aqueous solution comprising the iron bis-glycinate chelate and the alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate, was found to be comprised between 0.2 g/ml and 0.8 g/ml, preferably between 0.3 g/ml and 0.6 g/ml, and even more preferably between 0.4 g/ml and 0.5 g/ml.

An object of the present invention is, therefore, a product obtainable by spray-drying an aqueous solution comprising iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate, as indicated above, for use in the prevention and/or treatment of anaemia, preferably sideropenic anaemia, in humans.

The product obtainable by spray-drying an aqueous solution comprising iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate, as indicated above is administered orally, preferably formulated in a solid, semi-solid or liquid form, said solid form being selected from tablet, granulate, microgranulate or capsule, and said semi-solid or liquid form selected from suspension (aqueous or oily) or solution.

Objects of the present invention are, therefore, the oral pharmaceutical forms comprising the product obtainable by spray-drying an aqueous solution comprising the iron bis-glycinate chelate and the alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate, as indicated above, optionally together with physiologically acceptable excipients.

According to the invention, the term “physiologically acceptable excipient” means a substance devoid of any pharmacological effect of its own, and that does not produce adverse reactions when administered to a mammal, preferably a human being.

Pharmaceutically acceptable excipients are well known in the art and are described, for example, in Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients, sixth edition 2009, incorporated herein by reference.

According to the invention, the tablet, granulate and microgranulate may be in coated, non-coated and/or effervescent and/or buccal and/or chewable form, preferably in the form of an effervescent tablet, buccal tablet, or chewable tablet.

The term “effervescent” according to the present invention means a form that is able to develop carbon dioxide when in contact with water and/or with the buccal environment, in the presence of saliva.

In order to obtain the effervescent form of the invention, bi-carboxylic acids, tri-carboxylic acids, or a mixture thereof are preferably used.

More preferably, the effervescent compositions according to the invention are formulated with sodium citrate dihydrate and monohydrate, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, citric acid, tartaric acid, adipic acid, monosodium phosphate, alginic acid, magnesium hydroxycarbonate, or a mixture thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment, the capsules comprising the product obtainable by spray-drying an aqueous solution comprising iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate, as indicated above, may be coated.

In particular, in the solid oral forms of the invention the product obtainable by spray-drying an aqueous solution comprising iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate according to the invention in a ratio of 1:1, is contained in an amount ranging from about 10 mg to about 400 mg of iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid polymer (tolerance of about 0.5% by weight) (corresponding to from about 1 mg to about 40 mg of iron ion), preferably from about 20 mg to about 350 mg (i.e. corresponding to from about 2 mg to about 35 mg of iron ion), more preferably from about 100 mg to about 300 mg (corresponding to from about 10 mg to about 30 mg of iron ion).

Conversely, in the solid oral forms of the invention the product obtainable by spray-drying an aqueous solution comprising iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate according to the invention in a ratio of 1:2, is contained in an amount ranging from about 20 mg to about 800 mg of iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid polymer (tolerance of about 0.5% by weight) (corresponding to from about 1 mg to about 40 mg of iron ion), preferably from about 40 mg to about 750 mg (i.e. corresponding to from about 2 mg to about 35 mg of iron ion), more preferably from about 200 mg to about 600 mg (corresponding to from about 10 mg to about 30 mg of iron ion).

According to a further preferred aspect, in the solid oral forms of the invention the product obtainable by spray-drying an aqueous solution comprising iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate according to the invention in a ratio of 2:3, is contained in an amount ranging from about 15 mg to about 600 mg of iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid polymer di (tolerance of about 0.5% by weight) (corresponding to from about 1 mg to about 40 mg of iron ion), preferably from about 30 mg to about 525 mg (i.e. corresponding to from about 2 mg to about 35 mg of iron ion), more preferably from about 150 mg to about 450 mg (corresponding to from about 10 mg to about 30 mg of iron ion).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said solid oral form is a tablet, more preferably an effervescent tablet, or a buccal or chewable tablet.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, said solid oral form is a capsule.

Preferred capsules of the invention may comprise bulking agents, such as for example dicalcium phosphate, coating agents, such as for example hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, anti-caking agents, such as for example silicon dioxide, agglomerating agents, such as for example magnesium salts of fatty acids, and colourants, such as for example titanium dioxide.

In the semi-solid or liquid pharmaceutical forms, the product obtainable by spray-drying an aqueous solution comprising iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate according to the invention is contained in a quantity ranging from 1 to 10 g/100 ml of solution/suspension (corresponding to from 2 to 20 mg of iron ion/ml).

The product obtainable by spray-drying an aqueous solution comprising iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate, according to the invention may also be formulated in association with at least one sweetener and/or flavour.

Said at least one sweetener and/or flavour according to the invention may preferably be selected from acesulfame K, sucralose, sorbitol, sucrose, fructose, orange flavour, lemon flavour, mandarin flavour, caramel flavour, or a mixture thereof.

More particularly, the product obtainable by spray-drying an aqueous solution comprising iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate, according to the invention is preferably formulated in association with a mixture comprising acesulfame K, sucralose, sorbitol and flavour, where the weight ratio between acesulfame K : sucralose : sorbitol : flavour is of about 1:0.30-0.50:0.12-0.24:3.00-3.40 by weight, respectively.

According to the present invention, said weight ratio is preferably of about 1:0.40:0.18:3.20 by weight.

The product obtainable by spray-drying an aqueous solution comprising iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate, according to the invention may also be formulated in association with additional physiologically acceptable excipients and/or additives, such as for example acidifiers and/or preservatives (ascorbic acid, parabens).

According to a further embodiment, the product obtainable by spray-drying an aqueous solution comprising iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate of the invention may be administered in association with one or more additional active principles.

Additional active principles according to the present invention may preferably be selected from vitamins and/or mineral salts.

Said vitamins may preferably be selected from vitamin B9 (folic acid), vitamin B12 and/or vitamin B6.

Said mineral salts may preferably be selected from potassium, magnesium, iodine, zinc salts.

The product obtainable by spray-drying an aqueous solution comprising iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate, according to the present invention may be administered as the sole therapy, or following a conventional therapy, both oral and parenteral (for example, iron sulphate).

Objects of the present invention are also the oral pharmaceutical forms comprising the product obtainable by spray-drying an aqueous solution comprising iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate as indicated above, for use in the prevention and/or treatment of anaemia, preferably sideropenic anaemia, in humans.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1: Photograph of the powder obtained in Example 1, showing the product obtained by spray-drying iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid (Protanal® LFR) in a ratio of 1:1. The photograph was taken with a stereomicroscope Wild Heerbrugg Makroskop M420 connected to an OPTIKAM MICROSCOPY DIGITAL USB CAMERA. FIG. 2: Photograph of the powder obtained in Example 1, showing the product obtained by spray-drying iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid (Protanal® LFR) in a ratio of 1:1. The photograph was taken with an optical microscope LEITZ DIAPLAN with a NIKON DIGITAL SIGHT DS-U1 camera.

EXAMPLES Example 1

Iron bis-glycinate chelate and sodium alginate with a molecular weight comprised between 10,000 and 15,000 Da (Protanal® LFR Med Dev) were dissolved in water, in a weight ratio with water of 1:10 and 1:12, respectively.

The weight ratio between the iron bis-glycinate chelate and the alginic acid was 1:1.

To the solution acid ascorbic was also added, in a percentage of 0.214% with respect to the total weight of the iron bis-glycinate chelate and the sodium alginate.

The solution was placed in a mixer until dissolution was complete, then it was spray-dried by means of a spray-drying apparatus from BUchi company, using the following parameters:

-   -   Air inlet temperature: 170-190° C.     -   Air outlet temperature: 70-90° C.     -   Turbine rotation speed: 18,000-21,000 rpm     -   Air flow: 1,200 m³/h

The analysis carried out on the dried powder confirmed the total recovery of the iron in the product (97.21%) with a residual moisture value of 2.80%, while the density of the powder was found to be 0.5 g/ml and the particle size thereof was found to be less than 20 μ.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 images of the powder obtained by the method described above are shown, obtained, respectively, with a stereomicroscope and an optical microscope, connected to a digital camera, from which it is possible to infer the formation of a product by spray-drying of iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid.

Example 2

A product based on iron bis-glycinate chelate sodium alginate with the same starting materials and the same equipment of Example 1 was obtained, wherein the only differences consisted in the weight ratio between the iron bis-glycinate chelate and the alginic acid, which in the present Example is 1:2, and in the amount of ascorbic acid, which was added herein in a percentage of 0.285% with respect to the total weight of the iron bis-glycinate chelate and the sodium alginate.

The analysis carried out on the dry powder confirmed the total recovery of the iron in the product (100.04%) with a residual moisture value of 2.87%, while the density of the powder was found to be 0.5 g/m, and the particle size thereof was found to be less than 20 μ.

Example 3

A product based on iron bis-glycinate chelate sodium alginate with the same starting materials and the same equipment of Example 1 was obtained, wherein the only differences consisted in the weight ratio between the iron bis-glycinate chelate and the alginic acid, which in the present Example is 2:3, and the amount of ascorbic acid, which was added herein in a percentage of 0.256% with respect to the total weight of the iron bis-glycinate chelate and the sodium alginate.

The analysis carried out on the dry powder confirmed the total recovery of the iron in the product (97.00%) with a residual moisture value of 2.63%, while the density of the powder was found to be 0.4 g/ml, and the particle size thereof was found to be less than 20 μ.

Example 4

Absorption Kinetic Study

The iron bis-glycinate chelate sodium alginate obtained according to Example 1 (1:1 ratio) was formulated in capsules for oral administration with the following formulation:

Table 1:

TABLE 1 Capsule ingredients for a daily dose of 30 mg of iron per capsule (cps), containing iron bis-glycinate chelate sodium alginate (1:1 ratio) Ingredients Mg/cps % Iron bis-glycinate chelate sodium alginate (1:1 ratio) 300.903 50.572 (Feralgina ®) Calcium phosphate (E 341ii) 189.062 31.775 Magnesium salts of fatty acids (E 470b) 5.000 0.840 Silicon dioxide (nano) (E 551) 5.035 0.846 Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (E 464) 93.176 15.660 Titanium dioxide (E 171) 1.824 0.307 Total 595 100

A capsule formulation for comparison was also prepared, whose formulation is shown in Table 2 below, containing the same excipients of the formulation according to the invention, but containing iron bis-glycinate chelate instead of iron bis-glycinate chelate sodium alginate.

TABLE 2 Capsule ingredients for a daily dose of 30 mg of iron per capsule (cps), containing iron bis-glycinate chelate Ingredients Mg/cps % Iron bis-glycinate chelate 150.000 46.88 Dibasic calcium phosphate (E 341) 91.848 28.70 Magnesium stearate (E 470b) 2.152 0.67 Silicon dioxide (E 551) 1.000 0.31 Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (E 464) 73.561 22.99 Titanium dioxide (E 171) 1.439 0.45 Total 320.000 100.00

The daily dose obtained by administration of capsules containing iron bis-glycinate chelate sodium alginate according to Table 1 and capsules containing iron bis-glycinate chelate according to Table 2 is the same, i.e. 30 mg of iron in total (Fe-ion namely Fe++, determined by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer).

Two groups of healthy adult subjects with sideropenic anaemia, of both sexes, aged between 30 and 60 years, were recruited, wherein each group consisted of five subjects. The subjects of Group I were orally administered, in the morning after an overnight fast, a capsule containing iron bis-glycinate chelate sodium alginate (Feralgina®), while the subjects of Group II were orally administered, again in the morning after an overnight fast, a capsule containing iron bis-glycinate chelate.

The two groups were fully superimposable for haemoglobin values.

Two hours following the oral administration, each subject of each group was sampled in order to assess the serum levels of iron-ion.

TABLE 3 Serum levels of Fe-ion (μg/dl) two hours after oral administration Sideraemia Patients Product Dose T = 0 T = 2 h Group I 1 Iron bis-glycinate 30 mg 3 168 2 chelate sodium Fe 40 106 3 alginate 24 120 4 (Feralgina ®) 6 98 5 18 105 Average = 18.2 Average = 119 Group II 1 Iron bis-glycinate 30 mg 25 104 2 chelate Fe 38 49 3 10 83 4 79 78 5 130 76 Average = 22.4 Average = 78

As it can be seen from Table 3, the serum levels of iron-ion two hours following administration of Feralgina® are significantly higher than those obtained after administration of the capsules containing iron bis-glycinate chelate, thus demonstrating the higher absorption of iron-ion at the level of the gastrointestinal mucosa which is obtained by administration of iron bis-glycinate chelate sodium alginate. 

1. A product obtainable by spray-drying an aqueous solution comprising iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof.
 2. The product according to claim 1, wherein the alginic acid water-soluble salts are selected from sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate.
 3. The product according to claim 1, wherein the alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof have a molecular weight comprised between 10,000 and 350,000 Da, preferably between 10,000 and 250,000 Da, and even more preferably between 10,000 and 15,000 Da.
 4. The product according to claim 1, wherein the alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof have a molecular weight comprised between 10,000 and 15,000 Da, comprised between 40,000 and 50.000 Da, comprised between 90,000 and 200.000, or comprised between 250,000 and 350.000, more preferably comprised between 10,000 and 15,000 Da.
 5. The product according to claim 1, wherein the weight ratio between the iron bis-glycinate chelate and the alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof is comprised in the range of 1-2:1-3, preferably this weight ratio is 1:1, 1:2 or 2:3.
 6. The product according to claim 1, wherein the alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably selected from sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate, more preferably sodium alginate, have a molecular weight comprised between 10,000 and 15,000 Da, and wherein the weight ratio between the iron bis-glycinate chelate and the alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof is comprised in the range of 1-2:1-3, preferably it is 1:1, 1:2 or 2:3, more preferably it is 1:1.
 7. The product according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous solution used for spray-drying is obtained by a solution of iron bis-glycinate chelate and alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate and/or magnesium alginate, in a weight ratio with water of 1:10 and 1:12, respectively.
 8. The product according to claim 1, characterised by a particle size of less than 20 μ.
 9. The product according to claim 1, wherein the density of the product obtained after spray-drying is comprised between 0.2 g/ml and 0.8 g/ml, preferably between 0.3 g/ml and 0.6 g/ml, and even more preferably between 0.4 g/ml and 0.5 g/ml.
 10. The product according to claim 1, further comprising an antioxidant, preferably in an amount lower than 0.5% with respect to the total weight of the iron bis-glycinate chelate and the alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof, and even more preferably in an amount lower than 0.3%, wherein said percentages are referred to the total weight of the iron bis-glycinate chelate and the alginic acid and/or water-soluble salts thereof
 11. A method for preventing and/or treating anaemia in humans, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof the product of claim
 1. 12. An oral pharmaceutical form comprising the product according to claim 1, optionally together with physiologically acceptable excipients.
 13. The pharmaceutical form according to claim 12, in an oral solid form, preferably in the form of a tablet, effervescent tablet, buccal tablet, chewable tablet or capsules.
 14. The pharmaceutical form according to claim 12, in an oral semi-solid or liquid form, preferably in the form of an aqueous suspension or oily suspension, or in a solution form.
 15. A method for preventing and/or treating anaemia in humans, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof the pharmaceutical form according to claim
 12. 16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the anaemia is sideropenic anaemia.
 17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the anaemia is sideropenic anaemia. 59130-8043.US01/137668546.1 